Flash Invaders is your invitation to find over 1,000 renegade mosaics in the city.
The masked artist establish his work at dark , and often without permit . InParis , where the creative person lives , 1,485 of his arial mosaic ( and counting ) can currently be spotted throughout the city , wave both tourist and locals to explore . But his piece of work has score his travelling ininternational citiessince 1998 and even appears on the International Space Station . And for nearly a 10 , these tiled art object of renegade art , made to resemble the pixelated style of the ‘ 80s video gameSpace Invaders , have been part of a free-enterprise plot themselves — a modern - day scavenger hunting full of twist and twist .
The creative person in question goes by the pseudonymInvader . His pieces pasture in size from that of a chocolate tabular array Holy Scripture to that of an actual burnt umber table , with designs that complement their positioning . For example , you ’ll find a queen on Boulevard de la Reine in Versailles , and a pretzel inMunich .
In 2014 , Invader launched a free app calledFlash Invaders . Similar toPokémon Go , it boost players tophotograph , or “ flash , ” pieces they witness in the wilderness in monastic order to accumulate point . There is no prize — just bragging rights . I ’d get it on ; I ’ve been playing for about six year and am currently rank 3,205 out of over 300,000 player , with composition flashed in 13 out of 83 territories worldwide . The majority of my point total from Paris , where I live . As a fellow resident of the city , Invader is always adding to Paris ’s landscape . He also often “ invades ” new city , prompting diehard players to hightail it to the late addition .
Flickr/michaurel
But locating a novel Invader piece is n’t exactly aboveboard — and therein lies the literal difficulty of the game . The artist normally uncover a new opus onInstagram , but he ’s careful not to let on too much of the background knowledge , so it can be toilsome to recognise the mosaic ’s surroundings . Every so often , when Invader does a gallery show , he ’ll eject a strong-arm mapping that can go for upwards of € 350 on eBay , but even these maps do n’t note accurate address or GPS co-ordinate . To make it all even more complicated , spell are sometimes slip by stealer who think they ’ll be capable to resell them for profit on the black market , or remove by businesses who did n’t inevitably want a pixelated pineapple outside their restaurant .
Some participant , myself included , find delight in just happening upon a new encroacher slice . Others , like my booster Amy — who is ranked 964 on the app — make spreadsheet and map , and set up out on walk with a specific slice in idea to find . No matter your method , it ’s a creative way to find artistry and research a metropolis . And Paris in fussy , with more than a thousand mosaics to obtain , really loan itself to Invader - prompt excursions . On that note , I will not be reveal accurate coordinate for fear of being banish from this insular gild of devoted “ Hunter . ” But Iwillgive you a head start on how to locate Invader ’s pieces in Paris , along with sites and snack spot to see near his work .
Super Mario (50 points)
repent du Platre by Rue des ArchivesFrom the corner of Rue des Archives , theCentre Pompidoupops out behind Mario ’s head , reach a sojourn to this modern nontextual matter museum an idealistic fellow traveller to gameplay when flash in this part of the Marais . click your photo of Mario ( code PA_953 onFlash Invaders ) and enjoy the museum . Recent exhibits have include Georgia O’Keefe and Alice Neel , but the iconic building is also home to permanent aggregation that let in art from Kandinsky andKahlo . Pro tip : There are tons of Invader man nearby , include a huge one by the Stravinsky Fountain and even a small one inside the museum , above the gift shop class .
If you mold up an appetency with your first few flashes , stress some Lebanese ashta ice cream atGlace Bachir . This sweet treat has a whitish al-Qaida with a hint of orange blossom . The line is worth the hold , and do n’t forget the chantilly and pistachios .
In the Clouds (100 points)
Outside on the peak stratum of the Eiffel TowerClimb Paris ’s most famed monumentandincrease your standing in the game by buying a just the ticket to go up theEiffel Tower . Once you ’re on the summit meeting level , the Invader while ( PA_1431 ) can be tough to locate — and not just because of the crowd angling for the best selfie patch 1,000 feet in the line above Paris . Be patient and ye shall see the little mosaic of a build with his head inles nuages . Just do n’t block to look around and relish the scene of the city , too !
For a post - Eiffel Tower morsel , stop by the floating restaurantFrancette . With a roof deck of cards for tapas and cocktails , a cave for vino savoring , and an indoor bistro for more schematic meals , the restaurant is perfect for whatever meal strikes your mood , and whatever weather condition strikes your visit .
Mona Lisa (100 points)
regret du Louvre between Rue Bailleul and Rue Saint - HonoréSure , you could go see the realda Vinci masterpieceinside the Louvre and desire you do n’t get elbowed in the font in the process . But if you ’re a fan of modern art , admire Invader ’s Mona Lisa ( PA_1097 ) on Rue du Louvre and then hold out thePinault Collectionlocated inside a former ancestry rally . The sunstruck rotunda is stunning in its own right , but the permanent collection features remarkable — and at sentence surprising — work from the the like of Maurizio Cattelan . Be sure to attend for the animatronic computer mouse on the floor on your way out .
Before you leave the neighborhood , head over toBoutique yam’Tcha , a walk - up window on Rue Sauval that serves the fluffiest new bao with a French twist from Michelin - starred chef Adeline Grattard . ( Think cherry and stilton cheese and caramelized onion and comté . )
Picasso (100 points)
Corner of Rue Elzévir and Rue due Parc RoyaleSurely it ’s no fortuity that Invader install this portrait of Picasso ( PA_1102 ) in his far-famed striped shirt near thePicasso museum , so you might as well follow your flash by pop up into the former sign of the zodiac that house some of the Spanish creative person ’s early workplace . To honor the 50th day of remembrance of his death , a colored exposition curated by designer Paul Smith is on through the end of August .
Dr. House (100 points)
On the window dressing ofHôpital Pitié - Salpêtrièrealong boulevardVincent AuriolIf you ’ve gotten this far , you ’re clear a fan of pop polish , so flash this elephantine likeness of the TV character Dr. House ( PA_1205 ) should only be an excuse to research the seldom - inflict - by - tourists 13th arrondissement where some of the city ’s most fertile muralist — from Shepard Fairey and D*Face to Seth and C215 — have painted skyscraper with their trademark style . For an even deeper look into the counterculture , make your way to the cobblestoned quarter known as the Butte - aux - Cailles , where the graffiti artist Miss Tic launch fame .
While you ’re in the field , peek into Paris ’s startup brooder Station F , which also happens to houseLa Felicita , a 48,000 - straight foot Italian food hallway serving spritzes , pizza pie , calzones , and more .
Unsplash/bady abbas
Edward Berthelot/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images
Edward Berthelot/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images
Photo by Sara Lieberman
